Pomeroy received a local 911 Hero Award Thursday. Police say her bravery helped keep a tense situation from getting worse.

"My friend had just gotten thrown to the ground and she broke her ankle," Pomeroy said. "And then I saw her mom getting choked out, so I ran downstairs to the neighbors and they said I could use their phone."

The San Bruno 911 dispatcher who answered the 12-year-old's call was also honored at the ceremony.